BC freshman guard Garraud adjusting to the ACC

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BOSTON MA – DECEMBER 9: BC Guard Mamelle Garraud (14) steals the ball from Minnesota center Annalese Lamke, (41) near the Minnesota basket during the first half of the game at Boston College, Sunday, December 9, 2018, in Boston. (Herald Photo by Jim Michaud)

Boston College freshman point guard Marnelle Garraud is learning to play undersized in a big league.

The dazzling 5-foot-6 ballhandler from Lynn earned a starting job and is logging significant minutes as Eagles transition into contentious Atlantic Coast Conference play under first year head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee.

Garraud has appeared in 15 games with 12 starts and averages 27.3 minutes of floor time. She is averaging 11.7 points per game with 56 field goals and 28 trifectas.

Garraud averages 4.9 rebounds and has 49 assists with 29 steals. She scored a career high 28 points against Rider and made five 3-point shots versus Holy Cross.

“She had a great non-conference but there is a big step up in size in the ACC and at 5-6 she is a little undersized and she is going to have to learn to play being undersized,” said Bernabei-McNamee.

“I think that is the adjustment and you are already seeing the learning curve. She is going to be playing against some quick point guards but she is laterally quick and good at keeping them in front of her.”

Garraud got acclimated to the college regimen while BC rolled to an impressive 11-2 mark in non-league games, its best start since going 11-1 in 2016-17. But Garraud got her ACC reality check as BC dropped its conference openers at Conte Forum.

BC played a competitive match against Georgia Tech but were overwhelmed by the No. 9 and unbeaten North Carolina State on Sunday. Garraud got 32:33 minutes of intense ACC schooling against NC State and finished with 13 points and three treys.

“Here the size difference is really much greater and I’ve had to figure out a way to make that work for me,” said Garraud. “Now here I’ve really had to develop my midrange game and pace.

“Coach Mac emphasizes we have to play with a quicker pace and get up and down the court and being in shape. You have to be in great shape to keep up with the pace in the ACC. “

Garraud’s scholastic resume includes two years at St. Mary’s of Lynn before transferring to Noble & Greenough, an upper tiered ISL basketball program in Dedham. Garraud helped guide Nobles to the ISL title in 2017 and over two seasons she averaged 13.0 points, five assists and four steals per game.

Garraud collegiate choices were Brown and BC with academics her overriding consideration and she wanted to stay local. Garraud was initially recruited by Erik Johnson, who was relieved by BC athletic director Martin Jarmond after the 2017-18 season. Garraud and six other freshmen were entering a rebuilding program under new management.

“Obviously there was a little uncertainty at the start and not knowing what I was coming into,” said Garraud. “But I came in and talked with the coaches a lot when they accepted the job.

“They even sold me again on what they are trying to build and I liked that. But the part of my reason to come to BC wasn’t only basketball so it was less of a big thing.”

BC has provided the academic environment Garraud wanted while the basketball program will test her skill and stamina against the best teams in the country.

“Obviously, the ACC is one of the best conferences in the country and that was a no brainer,” said Garraud.